Yankees slugger Mark Teixeira OK after being hit on knee by pitch

New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira left a minor league intrasquad game Sunday with a bruised right knee after being hit by a pitch.

Teixeira was the designated hitter in a game between Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Double-A Trenton when a ball struck his kneecap.

After he returned to Steinbrenner Field from the minor league complex, Teixeira said he was "fine." He said no tests were planned.

Teixeira went into a kneeling position in front of the plate after being hit by the fourth-inning pitch. He left the field with a limp, which was gone by the time he reached Steinbrenner Field.

Teixeira became the second Yankees’ starting infielder to get hurt in as many days.

Shortstop Didi Gregorius sprained his left wrist diving for a grounder in Saturday’s game against Baltimore. X-rays and an MRI exam were negative, and Gregorius hopes to play Wednesday.

Gregorius got treatment and said that the wrist feels better and looser.

"I think I’m OK for Opening Day," he said.

Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, out two weeks with a oblique strain, could play in a minor league game Tuesday.

Teixeira was joined in Sunday’s minor league game by closer candidates Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller along with David Carpenter, Brian McCann and Garrett Jones.

Betances, with a 7.11 ERA in seven exhibition games, allowed an unearned run that scored on McCann’s throwing error on a stolen base attempt. He gave up one hit and struck out two in one inning, throwing 14 of 16 pitches for strikes.

"A step in the right direction," he said.

Betances’ fastball reached the mid-90’s.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he is not concerned about Betances.

"I just wanted to make sure it doesn’t affect the confidence," Cashman said. "I confirmed to myself he’s very confident, which is good."

Miller had three strikeouts, a walk and gave up a hit in 1-1/3 innings.

NOTES: The Yankees released RHP Scott Baker, who had an out clause in his minor league contract. Cashman would like to re-sign him. … RHP Bryan Mitchell was optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. … RHP Kyle Davies was reassigned to the minor league camp. … RHP Jared Burton was re-signed to a minor league contract. … Cashman said LHP Jacob Lindgren, taken in the second round of last year’s amateur draft, remains in the mix for a bullpen spot.